Hamilton Down

11 May 2011 08:33

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Billy Reid is determined to look forward rather than back after dropping down to the First Division. Billy Reid was at a loss as to how to react to last night's confirmation that Hamilton have been relegated. St Johnstone's Liam Craig's 29th-minute spot-kick after Mark McLaughlin had been sent off for bringing down Andy Jackson gave Hamilton an impossible task as they sought to continue their recent revival. Although Tomas Cerny later saved another Craig penalty - the 15th Hamilton have conceded this season in the SPL - Hamilton's relegation was assured as St Mirren beat Aberdeen 1-0. Accies have been in the SPL for three years but Reid was in no mood to remember their time in the top flight with fondness in the immediate aftermath of the game at McDiarmid Park. Reid said: "I don't want to look back, I always try to look forward and we're disappointed. We have a group of players who have been relegated. I am a manager for the first time who has been a failure. Every year I've been in management, six, seven, eight years, it's been success. But I always knew there would be a time at a club of this size when you have to take a step back and that's happened tonight. I'm gutted but I'm proud of my players, they gave me everything." McLaughlin's red card was the seventh Hamilton players have seen this season, which started with a 4-0 defeat at Aberdeen. Reid said: "It sums up our season. We started the season conceding three penalties and getting a man sent off, we finished the season conceding two penalties and getting a man sent off. We have done it 15 times this season. I thought it was a penalty, they tell me it was maybe outside the box but I can live with that, it's just one of those decisions that the referee has got to call, I don't have any problem with that." Reid felt his team deserved a penalty from Steve Conroy for a two handed push by Michael Duberry on Dougie Imrie but St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes felt his side "thoroughly deserved" their third win in succession. The game could be one of his last in charge of the Perth side after he held talks with Brentford over their vacant managerial position. But no move appears imminent for McInnes, whose club have not opened talks with the League One side. He said: "There are no more developments. I was given permission to speak to them, it was over a week ago that I went down and spoke with them. We need to wait and see what happens over the next few days or so. There is still a lot to be agreed. I'm concentrating on trying to finish the season on a high. We have had talks, I am back here and I'm working and I'm quite happy here."